As part of our commitment to research, teaching and creative scholarship, Cal State LA Special Collections and Archives offers a series of Academic Support Services from research appointments and consultations to instructions sessions and tours. Our Fee-Based Services include duplication, publication, and distance research requests.
Plan Your Visit
Request Research Appointment
Special Collections and Archives materials are available for research by students, staff, and faculty, as well as the public.
We highly encourage scheduling a research appointment 1-week in advance. Walk-ins may be accommodated depending on the materials requested and the availability of staff to fulfill the request.
Use Online Archive of California (OAC) to browse collection guides of all the available collections at Cal State LA.
To schedule an appointment, please fill out the Research Appointment Application.
Once your request has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email within 2-3 business days. Not all requests are guaranteed. Research visit confirmation is subject to the status of the collection(s), as well as staff and reading room availability.
Request a Research Consultation
For in-depth research help, schedule a Research Consultation for one-on-one or small group assistance with a Special Collections Librarian.
All appointment requests should be made at least 1-week in advance as Research Consultations cannot be guaranteed to walk-ins.
To schedule an appointment, please fill out the Research Consultation Form.
Directions/Parking
Special Collections and Archives is located in the Palmer Wing of the University Library, 2nd floor, room 2079.
Please see Visitor Parking for information about available lots, daily parking rates, and alternative transportation methods.
Plan Your Class Session
Special Collections and Archives Librarians welcome the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and community groups. We focus on providing hands-on learning experiences and developing skills in evaluating and using primary sources. We work with faculty to develop course-specific projects and assignments that encourage student engagement with special collections and archival materials.
We are located in the Palmer Wing of the University Library, 2nd floor, room 2079.
Possible sessions include:
- Introduction to Special Collections & Archives
- Assignment Specific Instruction
- Primary Source Analysis
- Assignment Consultations
- Special Collections & Archives Tours
- Exhibit Preparation Workshop
Request an Instruction Session
To help us prepare for class visits, we require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and a completed Instruction Request Form.
After submitting your request, please allow 2-3 business days for confirmation.
The Special Collections and Archives Reading Room accommodates a maximum of 20 students at a time as we believe smaller class sessions are more conducive to an interactive and hands-on experience. If your class is larger than 20 students, we are happy to schedule two separate sessions.
Independent Study
The Special Collections and Archives Reading Room is a unique, hybrid space open to all students, faculty, and staff for archival research as well as independent study.
Stop by to view our exhibits and displays, too!
Due to class sessions and special events, the reading room may be closed intermittently throughout the semester. Signage will be posted accordingly.
Cal State LA Special Collections and ARchives are composed of rare books, journals, digital, and archival collections. To browse our collections, get started with these search tools:
- One Search is an intuitive, central interface that provides access to print and digital collections across all California State University (CSU) libraries. You can search for rare books and journals located in Special Collections and Archives by conducting an Advanced Search. Type in your Subject/Keyword and click on search. On the left-hand side, filter the location of results to "Special Collections."
- Online Archive of California (OAC) provides free public access to detailed descriptions of primary resource collections maintained by more than 200 contributing institutions including libraries, special collections, archives, historical societies, and museums throughout California. Here you can browse collection guides of all the available collections at Cal State LA.
- Luna is our asset management system and digital repository that provides access to digital versions of Special Collections and Archives materials. Available collections are listed and can be browsed individually or a search can also be conducted across collections via keywords in the search box (top right-hand corner) or by selecting a predetermined facet such as item type, subject term, author, or year.
- Omeka is our digital exhibit which provides access to community collaborations and curated collections of archival materials.
To further assist you with your primary source research, the University Library subscribes to several databases for Newspaper/Magazines and Primary Sources.
Services
Reproductions Services
Please contact [email protected] to enquire about our reproduction fees
- Basic Scan Requests can be made for copies of archival materials and rare books - these files are to be used for personal research use only. The first 20 pages of every request are free of charge and fees will be charged for each page thereafter. The only exception to this policy is for copies of Theses and Dissertations which will be scanned in their entirety free of charge. Copies of materials will be provided in a PDF via email.
- High Quality Scans are scanned at a high resolution and are provided for use in exhibits, publications, videos, displays, etc. These requests are contingent on the researcher securing permission from copyright holders if Cal State LA Special Collections and Archives does not own the copyright. Delivery of files can be expected via email. You will be sent a link to download the images from a file transferring website known as WeTransfer.com.
- Large or Oversized Materials larger than 11x17 inches (i.e., posters and maps) are generally too big to be scanned utilizing the standard equipment therefore requests for reproductions often require extra setup and labor including time to prep the materials. For example, a map that has been folded and stored for years needs to be gently unfolded and flattened for a few days before scanning can occur. Fees for such reproductions will be charged based on the time it takes to complete the request.
Publication
Any researcher wishing to publish from Special Collections & Archives materials agrees to obtain permission from holders of copyright, if not Cal State LA, and from other interested parties as applicable. Due to the nature of archival materials, the researcher also agrees to accept responsibility for complying with legislation enacted to protect the creator's right to privacy.
Please contact [email protected] to enquire about our publication fees
Distance Research
Researchers who are unable to visit the archives in person may request SCA staff conduct research on their behalf.
Please contact [email protected] to enquire about our research fees